PPA: 20.8% of planned 2018 port projects completed by Oct

In the first 10 months of 2018, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) completed 31 out of its 149 planned projects nationwide aimed at improving the capacity, service standards, and efficiency of ports.

In its performance report as of October 2018, PPA said that of the 31 completed projects, 12 are in Luzon, nine in Visayas, and 10 in Mindanao. Of the total 149 planned projects, 53 are ongoing, 22 under procurement, and 39 are still waiting for approval of the general manager and are yet to be procured. Meanwhile, four projects have been suspended.

PPA noted that the projects for 2018 cover carry-over and new projects nationwide. Of the total, 59 projects are in Luzon, 56 in Mindanao, and 34 in Visayas.

PPA has earmarked P5.307 billion to finance its projects, and as of October 31, about P1.271 billion has been utilized.

In terms of dredging, PPA as of October 2018 has removed under a privatized setup a total of 823.697 million cubic meters of silts at the ports of North Harbor (Manila), Puerto Princesa (Palawan), Guiuan (Eastern Leyte), Currimao (Ilocos Norte), Abra de Ilog (Occidental Mindoro), Nasugbu (Batangas), Ormoc (Leyte), Guadalupe, Ozamiz (Misamis Occidental), Capinpin (Bataan), and Bauan (Batangas).

PPA’s budget for dredging in 2018 was P750 million, and included carry-over and new dredging programs. Of the total budget, the agency has spent P204.81 million by October 2018.

Routine and preventive maintenance of port facilities was allocated a budget of P3.2 billion, and P1.529 billion has been utilized as of October 2018. PPA said it has completed for the period 166 repair projects, while 83 are ongoing, and 71 have not yet been started.

To enhance accessibility and connectivity, nine roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) ramps were programmed to be completed in 2018. Of the nine, two are in Ozamiz, one in Alegria, two in Matnog, one in Tagbilaran, one in Tacloban, and two in Abra de Ilog. As of October 2018, four ramps have been completed, one each for the ports of Culasi, Balatero, Tagbilaran, and Alegria.

For enhanced maritime safety and security, PPA included in its strategic initiatives for 2018 the installation of Automatic Identification System (AIS) at various ports nationwide. As of October 2018, PPA said discussions on the components and other installation and system requirements for the AIS have been conducted with agencies concerned.

PPA’s mandate is to establish, develop, regulate, manage, and operate a rationalized national port system in support of trade and national development. Its vision is that “by 2020, PPA shall have provided port services of global standards.”